sanjaychhikara
May 24th, 2003, 02:10 PM
Atlast some good developments in the district!!
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Bhindawas bird sanctuary to be developed
as tourist spot
Deepender
Jhajjar, May 23
A tourist spot in Jhajjar? It may sound incredible, but if the district administration were to believe, this would be a reality soon, as the state government has embarked on an ambitious plan to develop the Bhindawas bird sanctuary into a tourist attraction.
The Bhindawas lake situated along the Jhajjar-Dadri approach road, 17 km from Chhuchhakwas village here, is spread on a sprawling 1,017 acres. The bird sanctuary, an abode of migratory birds, came into existence about 20 years ago. Over 15,000 to 20,000 winged visitors belonging to as many as 50 species arrive here from overseas and far-off places in the country.
According to information, till 1995, these birds used to flock to the lake in good strength, but since then the number of birds arriving here has started declining.
However, after the floods of 1995, `Jalkumb’ (a kind of water grass) started growing in the lake and they subsequently covered about 75 per cent of the water body. Due to this wild grass, birds started turning away from the sanctuary. The wildlife officials tried to remove the grass with the help of tractors but could not succeed. Although during the last winter, the number of birds increased and some more species of migratory birds were spotted here.
The state government has now prepared a project to give a facelift to the land near the lake and also to resurrect the lake by ensuring adequate water in it and the renovation of the HUDA rest house here.
Mr Mohinder Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, told the NCR Tribune that a three-pronged development of the area has been planned, in which the Forest Department, Wildlife Department and Haryana Tourism would work in tandem. He informed that the water body (spread in 750 acres) would be segregated from the wetland by building two bundhs. The lake would be filled up to at least five feet water and the Jawaharlal Nehru Canal passing along the lake would provide water. He said that iron gates would be raised on drain number 8 to stop the outflow of water from the lake. Special mounts are also to be created to provide space for the birds.
A grant of Rs 33 lakh under the Gramin Rozgar Yojna (SGRY) would be sanctioned for this project.
Mr Mohinder Kumar said that 180 acres have been given to the Forest Department to plant saplings. On another 100 acres, a herbal garden would be developed. Moreover, the Tourism Department would renovate the HUDA Rest House situated there. A library with material about wildlife and bird sanctuary would be set up in the rest house. The Tourism department has also planned to construct landscape and huts in 50 acres.
The agriculture land in about 3,300 hectares of nearby villages could be irrigated by the lake. The DC said that to attract tourists the approach road would also be carpeted and widened. He informed that Rs 6.5 crore has been sanctioned for carpeting the road from Jhajjar to Bhindawas, which would be taken up by the Public Works Department. He said that the periphery of two-km area has been notified as controlled area in which no construction for commercial purposes will be allowed.
for a photo see also http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030524/ncr1.htm#10
---------------------------------------------
Bhindawas bird sanctuary to be developed
as tourist spot
Deepender
Jhajjar, May 23
A tourist spot in Jhajjar? It may sound incredible, but if the district administration were to believe, this would be a reality soon, as the state government has embarked on an ambitious plan to develop the Bhindawas bird sanctuary into a tourist attraction.
The Bhindawas lake situated along the Jhajjar-Dadri approach road, 17 km from Chhuchhakwas village here, is spread on a sprawling 1,017 acres. The bird sanctuary, an abode of migratory birds, came into existence about 20 years ago. Over 15,000 to 20,000 winged visitors belonging to as many as 50 species arrive here from overseas and far-off places in the country.
According to information, till 1995, these birds used to flock to the lake in good strength, but since then the number of birds arriving here has started declining.
However, after the floods of 1995, `Jalkumb’ (a kind of water grass) started growing in the lake and they subsequently covered about 75 per cent of the water body. Due to this wild grass, birds started turning away from the sanctuary. The wildlife officials tried to remove the grass with the help of tractors but could not succeed. Although during the last winter, the number of birds increased and some more species of migratory birds were spotted here.
The state government has now prepared a project to give a facelift to the land near the lake and also to resurrect the lake by ensuring adequate water in it and the renovation of the HUDA rest house here.
Mr Mohinder Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, told the NCR Tribune that a three-pronged development of the area has been planned, in which the Forest Department, Wildlife Department and Haryana Tourism would work in tandem. He informed that the water body (spread in 750 acres) would be segregated from the wetland by building two bundhs. The lake would be filled up to at least five feet water and the Jawaharlal Nehru Canal passing along the lake would provide water. He said that iron gates would be raised on drain number 8 to stop the outflow of water from the lake. Special mounts are also to be created to provide space for the birds.
A grant of Rs 33 lakh under the Gramin Rozgar Yojna (SGRY) would be sanctioned for this project.
Mr Mohinder Kumar said that 180 acres have been given to the Forest Department to plant saplings. On another 100 acres, a herbal garden would be developed. Moreover, the Tourism Department would renovate the HUDA Rest House situated there. A library with material about wildlife and bird sanctuary would be set up in the rest house. The Tourism department has also planned to construct landscape and huts in 50 acres.
The agriculture land in about 3,300 hectares of nearby villages could be irrigated by the lake. The DC said that to attract tourists the approach road would also be carpeted and widened. He informed that Rs 6.5 crore has been sanctioned for carpeting the road from Jhajjar to Bhindawas, which would be taken up by the Public Works Department. He said that the periphery of two-km area has been notified as controlled area in which no construction for commercial purposes will be allowed.
for a photo see also http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030524/ncr1.htm#10